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Although chocolate brown is a warm, casual and friendly color, too much of anything can be overwhelming, and a room with too much brown can look monotone, depressing or dark. If your bedroom is making you feel smothered in chocolate, you can lighten the effect by making a few changes in the decor.

Walls

You can lighten up your brown room by starting with the walls. Painting them a creamy white will immediately lighten the room, and contrast nicely with the brown furnishings. If you want to cheer up the room, consider butter yellow or mint green. For a contemporary vibe, look to robin's egg blue, turquoise or soft gray. Make an even bigger statement by using an interesting painting technique. Broad stripes of white and a mid-tone color will look dramatic, or use a feather, rag or crumpled paper bag to apply a glaze over the base paint for an old world, aged style.

Light

An all-brown room can look dark, so chase away the shadows with excellent lighting. Consider installing a ceiling fan over the bed with an attached light kit. A fan with wicker or white blades will provide welcome contrast to chocolate brown. Affix wall sconces with a burnished metal finish on each side of the bed, and set a lamp or two on the nightstands or dresser. Cover the windows with white pull-down blinds for privacy, then lighten the look with gauzy curtains in fresh white or a pattern with a touch of bright color.

Bedding

Make a quick change by updating your bedding. Start with a white bed skirt, white sheets and a few white throw pillows for a light, clean look, then cover the bed with a new spread in a pattern that incorporates a few bright colors and an interesting, bold pattern. A small or subtle pattern will get lost with all the brown, so choose something that can hold its own against the darker color. Warm the foot of the bed with a folded extra blanket in a bright color that matches the spread.

Accessories

Hang some cheerful artwork on the walls. Pick frames with a burnished metal finish to reflect light. Add a few potted plants to your room for a natural touch, and group a few brightly colored candles near the bed. Wind a string of LED lights along your curtain rod for a twinkling effect, and consider hanging a brightly colored or white paper lantern from the ceiling over the bed. Pick a colorful area rug large enough to fill the space at the foot of your bed, and a smaller rug for the side of the bed where your feet first hit the floor in the morning.

About the Author

Living in California, Michelle Ullman is a professional writer with particular expertise in home, garden and pet/nature topics. Her work is published on many websites. She loves crafts and has a deep interest in design and DIY projects.